Farmers in a national park are turning down lights at night to help wildlife – it could be good for crops too
Growing evidence suggests that excessive outdoor lighting at night may be harming wildlife.
For generations, rural communities worked to the rhythms of daylight and darkness. Today, the amount of harsh light switched on at nightime is having profound consequences for many living things.
Agricultural properties are often remote and vulnerable to equipment or livestock theft. In response, many landowners have now installed security floodlights, powerful halogen beams, and unshielded external LEDs to illuminate yards overnight.
The North York Moors National Park, an international dark sky reserve in the north of England, has been working with farmers to reduce the impact of artificial light on the natural environment.
The initiative is about ensuring that lighting is used in the right place, at the right time, and at the appropriate intensity. This might involve........
